Exmouth learning lessons on road

PUBLISHED: 13:30 21 November 2008 | UPDATED: 10:02 10 June 2010

Bournemouth 23pts, Exmouth 0 South West One: Although Exmouth will be disappointed they did not reverse their poor showings on the road this season, the young Cockles gained more vital experience at this challenging level of rugby.

Bournemouth 23pts, Exmouth 0 South West One: Although Exmouth will be disappointed they did not reverse their poor showings on the road this season, the young Cockles gained more vital experience at this challenging level of rugby.

At one point a big score line looked a possibility. Exmouth heads never dropped and they fronted up to a side placed third in the division.

Exmouth kicked off against a noticeable wind and the home side went on the attack from the start.

Murray Daniel tried to drive the ball out of danger but two penalties in quick succession passed the initiative back to Bournemouth.

Kicker Mike Pope made a mess of the first one on seven minutes. A minute later he made no mistake from the Exmouth 22.

Three minutes later referee Richard James (Hants RRS) was not happy when an Exmouth player went off his feet and Pope kicked his second penalty.

Exmouth put themselves under pressure when the ball was kicked to the Bournemouth backs and only a forward pass prevented another score.

With 20 minutes played Exmouth fly-half Ben Hough, who had shown some promising touches, collided with one of his own players and left the field.

Richard Cadywould moved from centre to 10 and Mark Wathes came off the bench into the centre.

Within minutes a missed first tackle allowed Bournemouth a free run from halfway and with the ball passing through a number of hands Callum Forrest scored wide out. Pope converted and at 13-0 Bournemouth were in control.

The referee sin-binned an Exmouth player on the half hour and the remaining 14 did well to restrict the Bournemouth scoring to a Pope penalty during the remaining 10 minutes to the break.

The Cockles came back for the second half looking to take the game to Bournemouth. Wathes, Jack Downie and Ben Boswell all made good runs.

With 10 minutes played Bournemouth forced an error 30 metres from the Exmouth line. From the resulting scrum, Sam Hardcastle scored under the posts.

Pope converted and the result was no longer in doubt.

With 20 minutes left, Bournemouth lost a player to the bin. But with Exmouth unable to get into good scoring positions, the contest lost some of its edge and ended without any further scores.

On Saturday it is the second round of the EDF National Trophy and Exmouth make the 250-mile trip to Kent, where they meet National Three side Canterbury.

l EXMOUTH Rugby Club are holding a Christmas shopping evening on Wednesday, November 26. The Club will open from 6.30pm for the chance to buy one of the new leisure shirts at a discounted price. There will also be a selection of other gifts, jewellery and sportswear.